Grayson Saunier Earns Rebel Walk Player of the Weekend Honors for Performance on the Mound Against Iowa
OXFORD, Miss. — The Ole Miss baseball team is coming off of another series win this past weekend, this time over Iowa. The Rebels dropped game one 13-7 before beating the Hawkeyes in games two and three, 12-5 and 8-3, respectively.
After tying the series at one game apiece Saturday, the Rebs would need a good outing from starting pitcher Grayson Saunier, and they got just that from the sophomore right-handed pitcher. Saunier pitched five scoreless innings while giving up just two hits, two walks and striking out two.
His performance on the mound Sunday against Iowa has earned Grayson Saunier The Rebel Walk’s Player of the Weekend honors.
“We needed some zeros and (Grayson) was certainly lights-out today. I thought it was one of the best fastball days that he’s had in quite some time.”
Ole Miss head coach Mike Bianco on Saunier
The first batter of the game Saunier faced would reach via base on balls but would be stranded after two ground outs and a fly out.
In the second inning, two errors and a walk loaded the bases for the Hawkeyes. Andrew Fischer came up huge in the inning as he would throw out the would-be go ahead run at home plate. Then, with the very next batter, a scorching line drive would find Fischer’s glove at third base and a diving effort doubled-up the runner at third. Saunier got out of the inning unscathed.
“I was just trying to attack them…just attack them and trust my defense behind me.“
Grayson Saunier
Saunier followed the second inning with a one-two-three top of the third. The top of the fourth would see the Hawkeyes get a runner aboard on a one-out single but nothing came of it as Saunier struck out the next two hitters.
Second K over four scoreless for @GraysonSaunier!
📺 SECN+ pic.twitter.com/PjXonSBLY5
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2024
In the top of the fifth, a lead-off single and a sacrifice bunt would put an Iowa runner in scoring position. The next batter grounded out to shortstop, advancing the runner to third. With two outs, Saunier would get Iowa’s three-hole hitter to ground out to third, ending the fifth.
That would close the book on Saunier’s day. The right-handed pitcher notched his second win of the season, improving his record to 2-1. His ERA improved to 3.55.
Five shutout innings on #Saunday 😤@GraysonSaunier | #HottyToddy pic.twitter.com/sslMJDwMy3
— Ole Miss Baseball (@OleMissBSB) March 3, 2024
Congratulations to Grayson and the Rebels on their series win over Iowa! Stay tuned to The Rebel Walk for all thing Ole Miss sports.
(Feature image credit: Jennifer Saunier)
Nick Filipich
Nick Filipich was born and raised in Biloxi, MS. He is an Ole Miss alum with a degree in Sports and Recreation Administration. A sports junkie with a great passion for all things Ole Miss, Nick played baseball and football in high school — which is where he discovered his love for sports. He is an avid Braves and Saints fan, and in his free time enjoys spending time with family, friends and his black lab, Dixie.
